Ramblings of an Aerospace Engineer

Transport Canada Warning to Stop Using Designer 22 Infant Carseat

2009-08-10T05:40:00.000-07:00

Consumer Information Notice - Designer 22 Infant Seat: Potential Separation from Base

TP 14566 - Consumer Information Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2009-C02 E
August 5, 2009

Road Safety
Information: 1-877-505-2223

Manufacturer:
Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
2525 State Street
Columbus, IN 47201
U.S.A.
Web site: www.djgusa.com

Importer and Distributor:
Dorel Distribution Canada
873 Hodge
St-Laurent, QC H4N 2B1

Consumer Contact:
1-866-556-0029

Media Contact:
Rick Leckner 1-514-731-0000

Models Affected:
Designer 22 infant restraint systems with adjustable base under brand names of Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Safety 1^st and Quinny

Dates of Manufacture:
January 1, 2001 to March 19, 2009

Number of Units:
259,529

Geographic Distribution:
Across Canada

Issue:

The Designer 22 is a rear-facing infant car seat. It is designed to be used in a vehicle with or without a detachable base. Although the seat meets the mandatory safety standards, research testing that went beyond the existing standards has shown that, when used with the base, the seat may separate from the base or the base may crack during a severe frontal collision. Separation of the seat from the base occurred only when using the vehicle's three point seat belt assembly.

Background and Company Action:

During Transport Canada in-vehicle crash tests, some Designer 22 infant seats separated from the base and some bases cracked. Further testing and analyses using an acceleration sled to replicate the crash forces seen in the earlier vehicle tests had the same result. These in-vehicle crash tests exceeded the existing performance requirements of the safety standards, and are not mandated in any jurisdiction worldwide.

Additional independent compliance surveillance and certification assurance testing done by both Transport Canada and the importer, Dorel Distribution Canada, respectively, confirm that these infant seats comply with the applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 213.1, with no evidence of seat-from-base separation. A further review of prior Transport Canada compliance surveillance test records and the manufacturer's own certification test records for both the Canadian and U.S. market seats also show no indication of seat-from-base separation.

Over two million units of the Canadian and U.S. models of the Designer 22 have been sold - nearly 260,000 in Canada. Transport Canada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the manufacturer and the importer are not aware of any injuries and no confirmed in-use occurrences have been reported involving seat-from-base separation.

During the review period, the importer has been mainly cooperative with Transport Canada and has provided all requested documentation. Although Dorel does not consider the Designer 22 to be defective in any way, it is undertaking voluntary action to introduce a number of production changes to the infant seat to improve its performance in more severe collisions than is currently required in the safety standards.

Transport Minister John Baird has instructed officials to fully review the current safety standards for protecting children in car seats during a crash. Further actions will be explored and all necessary steps taken to keep children as safe as possible.

Consumer Recourse:

To avoid the possibility of a seat-from-base separation, Transport Canada highly recommends that the users of the seat follow the manufacturer's "without base" method of installing the infant seat in the vehicle using the vehicle seat belt, according to the manufacturer's instructions. As always, particular attention should be paid to the manufacturer's instructions regarding the leveling of the infant seat in the vehicle, and the recommended useful life of the product.

We remind Canadians that the proper use of a child car restraint is vitally important to keep children safe in case of a collision. Please call 1-877-505-2223 for information on car seat clinics.

Consumers who may be missing their instruction manual may call Dorel Distribution Canada's helpline at 1-866-556-0029 to request a replacement copy.

You can report any concerns with children's car seats to Transport Canada at the following address: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/Index.aspx.

Come Visit My Other Blog

2009-07-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't posted here for a while... Been busy with my other blog. Come check it out...

www.megamovielinks.com

Watch your favorite, or new favorite shows like: Top Gear, Penn and Teller Bullshit, Weeds, Entourage, True Blood, Leverage, Hung. Or check out all the movies available.

To help pay for server costs, fill out one simple survey and you get access to the entire site from your IP address for life! That's not a bad deal.

30 Rock gets 22 nods at the Emmies

2009-07-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Good on 30 Rock... I love that Sarah Palin... oops, did I say that, or did I say Tina Fey. Well the show surely deserves it. I love the witty writing... I love the character interactions... and I hope that they win all the awards.

The show was honored last year as best comedy and drama, and has a chance to repeat the performance at September's awards. "30 Rock" broke the record it set last year, when it received 17 nominations.

Good Luck,

You Rock

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2009-07-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

So we hear all about how Harry Potter in the Half Blood Prince is getting to be a story about a child growing up and not as much of the fun loving fantasy of the first few movies. Well wake up reviewers... he's been at Hogwarts for 6 years... he started as a kid, he's growing up. He has much more responsibility, and power... all the kids are growing up... heck, being together for 6 years would definitely create some high school crushes and jealousies and all that jazz. What makes it even harder is that the same actors are used and real time passes much quicker. Look at Hermione... below are pictures when she first started the series... and now, all growed up. I can't wait to see this film, I know it will do a fantastic job at the box office, as all the franchise has. Good on J.K. Rowling on creating a story for everyone to love... maybe she'd like to share a little of the wealth with me.

Air Canada in Trouble Again?

2009-07-03T05:34:00.001-07:00

It's been reported that Air Canada is having trouble ratifying a deal with more than 12,300 worker of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The latest deal offered by Air Canada would freeze salaries and cancel pension payments for almost 2 years. The deal was narrowly voted down at 50.8% against the deal.

Should Air Canada not be able to reach a deal with this union, and complete deals with two other unions including the pilots union, the company would be forced once again to go into bankruptcy protection.

So what do I think... this is the toughest situation for any company to be in. Canada is unique in the fact that we are so close to the US... and yet we only have one national airline. Air Canada is required to produce a list of routes it must fly, whether or not the plane is full. Other airlines are permitted to cancel flights should the occupancy make the flight uneconomical. Therefore, on some flights... and it would be an interesting piece of information to find out what percentage, Air Canada is losing money. Add to the fact that a global economic depression is keeping Canadians at home, rather than traveling more, and the fire has been lit to hurt Air Canada even more. I believe that unions are useful, but in tough times, they are dangerously close to being considered "the bad guy". If a company goes into bankruptcy protection and can't get out... guess what, you all lose your jobs, your seniority, and for sure a pension... some concessions now during the tough times vs no job at all, you decide.

2nd Airline Crash in a Short Period of Time

2009-06-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

So what's happening in the skies? A Yemeni Airbus jet with 153 people crashed into the Indian Ocean as it came in to land in the Comoros islands Tuesday but rescuers brought out a 14-year-old girl from the sea alive, officials said. It's incredible that they've rescued a little girl, but how can something like this happen. The aviation authorities around the world have such strict requirements for air travel, it is incredible that this can happen once, let alone twice... Couple this with the recent US flight where the captain died during the trans-Atlantic route...

I think I'll stay at home for the next while.... hoping not to get hit by a bus.

Farrah Fawcett Passes Away

2009-06-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of an iconic legend. Farah Fawcett has passed away today after a fight with cancer. Doctors efforts to stop the disease failed and progressed through her body until the bitter end. She died in the ICU ward at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica, CA this morning. She always had the greatest smile and will be remembered as the most famous of Charlie's Angels. She will be terribly missed.

Is California Broke

2009-06-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

So it was announced today that California will have to pay out debts in IOUs come the new fiscal year starting in July. What a blow to the state that you would think is the richest, or one of the richest in the entire country. To sink to this level... what went wrong. Well we all know that Enron put California into so much debt from the energy fixing. That, coupled with the recession, housing crash, unemployment at a high... the country is ready to bust. And yet there are so many movie stars, producers, directors, executives, CEOs, and multi million dollar companies unable to support this problem.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the next week as the fiscal year in California rolls over. Will the state ask the federal government for a bailout? Everyone else is, why can't they. It's not like we don't love our TV shows and movies. The summer TV hiatus might increase the unemployment rate as staff are let go... and maybe even cancelled shows.

Only time will tell.

Chubby People Live Longer - Thank You Japan

2009-06-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

A report has been provided from Japan stating that Chubby people live longer than skinny people, by up to 5 years. Experts have long warned of the risk of obesity, but a new Japanese study warns that being very skinny is even more dangerous, and that slightly chubby people live longer.

People who are a little overweight at age 40 live six to seven years longer than very thin people, whose average life expectancy was shorter by some five years than that of obese people, the study found.

"We found skinny people run the highest risk," said Shinichi Kuriyama an associate professor at Tohoku University's Graduate School of Medicine who worked on the long-term study of middle-aged and elderly people.

"We had expected thin people would show the shortest life expectancy but didn't expect the difference to be this large," he told AFP by telephone.

The study was conducted by a health ministry team led by Tohoku University professor Ichiro Tsuji and covered 50,000 people between the ages of 40 and 79 over 12 years in the northern Japanese prefecture of Miyagi.

Well score one for the guys visiting the buffet, like I did last night for Fathers Day!

Apple iPhone 3G S is here, but is it good?

2009-06-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

Apple released the iPhone 3G S today. People waited in line since yesterday to get their hands on the latest technology which can now stream video right to your hand held. I still can't figure out all the hub bub about this device. Do we really need to be connected to the internet all the time... Do we really need an app that will calculate the tip at a restaurant. Seriously, I think it's time to take that one technology step back and remember that we have families to be with and spend more time worrying about, than what new application is available.

The iPhone, the Blackberry, the Palm, and all the rest are becoming the adult version of hand held video games... and I think they are making us lose touch with our community connection. We live in a technology exposion time right now, can you remember back 20 years... the CD player was the coolest thing on the block. Now, we see people walking down the street looking like they came from the technology wild, wild, west, with a belt clip full of gadgets to satisfy our needs to access whatever information we need the moment we demand it.

I like walking down the street with my son in tote, making sure that we don't step on a crack, you never know, you might just break your mothers back!

Canada Won't Be Going to the Polls, or, Does Michael Ignatieff have a Pair?

2009-06-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

So it seems another election is not going to happen this year. A deal was struck between the Prime Minister and Michael Ignatieff to form a committee to study unemployment insurance... a key issue for Ignatieff.

But what does it all mean Basil? Well, an election was averted early on in the Conservatives minority government when the Bloc, NDP and Liberals had formed a coalition to overthrow the government - Didn't happen. Now, a second chance to reclaim power, stayed. So what is it that Michael is worried about. Does he think he can't win? Does he think he won't do a good job as PM? Or does he have something to hide that makes him unwilling to call the election and clean the skeletons out of his closet. I can only imagine that the Bloc and NDP are furious that a second opportunity to go to election has been lost.

Maybe Ignatieff is biding his time in the economic recession. Let the Conservatives ride the low times and force the big buck spending... Then, with a huge national debt, he can ride in on a white horse and save the day... guess we'll find out in time.

Save Cambridge Memorial Hospital Lactation Consultant

2009-06-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

A rally is being organized for the purpose of saving in-patient and out-patient Lactation Consultant services at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Please join this rally which will be attended by a group of concerned citizens who understand the importance of breastfeeding support in the early days and weeks of life. Many attendees will be mothers who have benefited from the Program as well as concerned mothers-to-be who will lose out on this essential support if the Program ends in early July.

The Rally will take place on Tuesday, June 23^rd at 11:00 am beginning at the Price Chopper shopping plaza Delta (corner of Dundas / Hwy.#24 / Coronation Boulevard) and will follow in procession and congregate in front of Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

This demonstration is expected to be attended by approximately 150 (+) individuals all wearing the colour blue to show our unity in our support of the need to maintain the Lactation Consultant program at CMH.

For further information and to show your support by attending, please visit our Facebook Group by clicking: Save Cambridge Memorial Hospital’s Lactation Consultant Program or contact the organizer, Leigh Schwarz at breastfeeding@ohbabyfitness.ca

RIM Shows Off Blackberry Tour 9630

2009-06-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

RIM announced formally today the release of the Blackberry Tour... it's entry into the 3G market. The tour is a combination of the Curve and the Bold. RIM has nowhere to go but up. The tour has been released in the US supporting both GSM and CDMA. It's got all the gadgets you'd expect including camera and video... and a big clear screen. Soon we'll all have one on our sides. Probably the only setback are the number of applications available for the Blackberry when considering the iPhone competition.

Hail to the Queen, and Happy Birthday

2009-06-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

I guess turning 83 is no big deal, even if you are Royalty. The queen decided on a low key birthday this year... sorting through the daily mail and catching up on work. Boy, if I was the King, there would be celebrations galore... Forget about the canons firing, there would be celebrations in the street. Maybe when you hit 83, things start slowing down... you look forward to the end of the day and resting your weary bones. The queen has doled out the same old hand shake for many years. I guess giving her wrist a break is a welcome relief.

We'll just have to see what happens next year if she'll whoop it up!

Sometings Missing at the Canadian Mint... Gold, Silver and more

2009-06-12T05:39:00.001-07:00

So the Canadian government is trying to figure out where all the lost gold, silver and other precious metals. The government is calling in the RCMP to look for it. The news is that there is a computer glitch which would account for the discrepancy. Then they've tried to balance the books claiming more gold content in the slag ( material bubbled up in the process of making bars of precious metals later to be refined to reclaim any precious metals within it). The government claims they underestimated the amount of gold in the slag and that helps balance the discrepancy, but not nearly enough... so then they talk about the gold that's floating around in the buildings air filters and ducts... unlikely story gentlemen.

No one wants to admit the possibility of a theft. They claim the quantities could never go undetected. But an inside job to the highest level could be the case. Maybe the government needed to borrow a little to pay off some debt, and later backfill. We'll probably never get the true answer... unless Natural Resources Minister Raitt is caught on tape again in the near future...

Canada to Cut Ties with Chaulk River and Cancer Isotopes

2009-06-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that the Canadian government is looking to shut down Chaulk River Nuclear facility. This facility provides 1/3 of the worlds cancer detecting isotopes. Without this critical resource, the capability to detect early cases of cancer will be severely hindered. Wait times at Cancer clinics will increase leading to increased health care costs for the Canadian government. I am always amazed at how poorly our politicians can't see the ounce of prevention to rid us of the pound of cure.

It gets even further ridiculous when listening to politicians (Raitt) outpouring of sorrys for making statements caught on tape. We all know that politicians have these conversation on a daily (probably hourly basis)... you got caught, you feigned ignorance, then you say your sorry and the world goes on. Well in this case, the world will go on with more and more cases of cancer being diagnosed late. The cost of cancer treatment when in the advanced stages is so much more than at the early detection stage.

The Canadian government should look at how the isotope business can end up as a not for profit venture. While this is always easier said than done, the value of the resource, and Canadas contribution should not be lost.

Stanley Cup Final Set, Pitsburgh versus Detroit

2009-06-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder why some first and second round series in hockey are over in 4 games... but the last series inevitably lasts right up to the bitter end. Think about ticket sales. If the series was over in 4 games, how much money would the teams lose not stretching it out to that pivotal game 7. Not only that, but how much more excitement is raised when you are forced to go the distance. Well it all comes down to Friday... and it seems that Detroit has the upper hand, each team has won at home. Will we see back to back crowned champions... I guess we'll find out on the weekend. Till then, we get to watch Conen on NBC, thanks for messing up the game schedule NBC for the big debut of the Tonight Shows 4th host.

Britney, Britney, Britney

2009-06-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears... what are you doing. So we find out that Britney has posed semi-topless in her video. A waning career move? Who knows.. She says she's tired of the circus tour, and it's only half done. I give her full credit for working so hard to get her life back together, but can it really last. Some people are destined to make poor choices. I think that without a positive family influence, she will always fall to the dark, and not to the light... check out the pictures here

Detriot Red Wings 2 times Champions?

2009-06-07T08:31:00.001-07:00

So the Red Wings spanked Pitsburg in Game 5 last night. Will it be two in a row for the Red Wings... only time will tell. Ask my brother in law and he'll tell you right away, it's a done deal. The Red Wings have shown resolve, patience, and skill that shows why they are Stanley Cup champions. I think they'll make it two in a row. It's a pretty awesome story for the Red Wings. I am more than happy that during the season, ticket prices for Joe Louis Arena could be had for a mere $9. The global recession reaches even as far as professional hockey. If they pull off a second year win, we can only hope for next years final in which Jim Balsillie might have a contender to dethrone the mighty Red Wings.

Go Detroit

Get Rich Quick, No work required, Start earning today

2009-06-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

How many times do we get inundated each day with ads that tell us we can be making the big bucks tomorrow if we just sign up today? If that were true, we'd all be out making money hand over fist. The real world just doesn't work like that. There are those that have money (who will continue to make money), those who will inherit money, those that will win money (the very far and few between), and the rest of us with no money.

So to all out there like me... with little or no money, here is what I have learned...

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Peace to David Carradine

2009-06-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

With great sadness, it is reported that Kung Fu Legend David Carradine past away in Hong Kong. Apparently he hung himself. Although reports that authorities are investigating. A spectacular actor, he will be sorely missed. May the afterlife treat you well.

Baseball Blues

2009-06-04T05:25:00.000-07:00

So each week a group of dads heads out to the old ball park to face off against the 20 something kids with lightening speed. The Hespeler Dads Baseball Club is ready for action. Our spirits are high, our goals are no less than victory. The results often miss the mark. Yes, we were stomped last night. First and foremost, the game was at 10:15 pm. That's past bedtime for most of us. Second, we decided to hit the bar before the game, as going afterwards would just be too late. Was the outcome predetermined, only higher powers can decide that. Ah well, the big beer mug we have as our logo sitting curved around our guts attests to the true reason we are out. We are men, we aren't proud, and we're ready to drink. Hey if the Blue Jays can lose 8-1, we can afford a loss every once in a while too.

General Motors (GM) Give Money? Government Money

2009-06-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

So General Motors is going bankrupt. Boo Hoo. This is one company that the world can do without. There are more cars on dealer and used dealer lots than on the roads. We are a society that is burdened with too much choice. I think its about time that one of the big manufacturers goes under. I feel terrible for all the people that will lose a job, but it was going to eventually happen. Now as for the unions... well they need to take some of the blame too. The pensions, benefits, and even wages that are in place are wonderful, but don't reflect the reality of the work done. I guess we'll just have to see how much money each of us will be donating to keep the company alive. The worst part is the current CEO and big wigs were on the news the other day saying this is a good thing. Sure, wipe out the pension debt that is crippling you, and get working on reducing pay and benefits to maximize the money in your pocket. I am all for a federal referendum to see if the Canadian people want to bail out GM.

Welcome and Hello

2009-06-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

The first post is always the hardest. Welcome to my Blog. A chance to share all the views I hold so dear. I'll ponder the first topic... they will be varried, they will be weird... you might even say they are reminiscent of a rocket scientist... Well that's what I am.